NEWS OF THE DAY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2361, 11 October 1880, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

There was a meeting of the Hospital Commissioners this morning to consider financial matters but the press was not admitted.

The Merchant Shipping and Underwriters’ Association report the arrival at London, on October 8, of the ship Brisbane, from Timaru, which left on June 11.

A special meeting of the Timaru School Committee will be held at the Public school this evening, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of asking the Board of Education to dismiss Miss Forbes.

The s.s. Grafton which arrived from Oamaru at an early hour this morning claims the distinction of being the first steamer to moor off the breakwater. She was decorated with a number of gaily colored flags, and altogether wore a festive appearance in honor of the occasion.

At the E. M. Court this morning, an inebriate was brought up before Mr Beetham. Sergeant Haldane stated that the man, who was arrested on Saturday night, had been in the lock-up throughout Sunday ; he was therefore dismissed with a caution. The man who was brought up on Saturday, supposed to be afflicted with lunacy, the result of over indulgence in drink, and remanded until to-day, was, on the certificate of Drs Hogg and Macintyre, committed to Sunnyside.

A telegram from Dunedin informs us that the jury in the Kyeburn murder case retired to consider their verdict at 2 .45 on Saturday afternoon. At 8.20 they returned into Court with a verdict of guilty against Ah Lee, and not guilty against Lee Guy. His Honor then put the black cap on, and passed sentence of death in the usual way.

An Auckland telegram to-day states that the s.s. Arawata arrived there after a trip from Gisborne, performed under 21 hours. This is fast steaming.

Our Temuka correspondent writes : Business in Temuka during the past week has been very dull. Shopkeepers, &c. have been chiefly employed looking for customers smoking, and cat-catching. By the way a game called hornpipe dancing by cats, performed by catching the animals by the back of the neck and the extremity of the tail, deserves the attention of the Cruelty to Animals Prevention Society.

The Eoyal Hotel at Onehunga has been burnt to the ground. It cost £IOOO, and belonged to Mrs George. No water was available. Assistance from the hands at Hoe’s mill was called for, but only a few were sent, the others being away at dinner. The building was destroyed in half an hour. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a spark from a chimney in Koe’s mill, which is a short distance off. Another theory is that it was caused by the chimney of the hotel consisting of shingles catching fire. Dan McGuinness’ big sweep on the C. J.C. Handicap will close at the end of the month. The shares are being rapidly disposed of. Attention is drawn to the fact that Mr P. J. Bell’s consultation on the C.J.C. Handicap will close very shortly now and early application for the remaining tickets is therefore necessary.